Newsletter - 4 September 2025
From the desk of Councillor David Brown
Hey, Councillor Brown, what do you actually do?
A few weekends ago I was in my home office, clearing a few emails after a long day of attending community events. My fiancée, Melissa, came to the door and asked when I would be finished. I had promised we would watch a movie because we had not had much time together in recent weeks. I said I only had a few emails left. A couple of hours later it was past midnight and I had missed our movie.
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Ward Updates
Open Air Fires Permitted with a Burn Permit
As of September 3, 2025, open air fires are permitted in Ottawa, but you must have a valid Open Air Fire Permit issued under the Open Air Fire By-law (No. 2004-163).
If a fire ban is declared, all open air fires are prohibited, even with a permit. This includes agricultural burns, brush piles, and campfires. Zero tolerance enforcement applies under the by-law.
When fires are permitted, residents must:
Hold a valid Open Air Fire Permit
Call Ottawa Fire Services at 613-580-2880 before lighting a fire
For questions, call 3-1-1 or visit Ottawa Fire Services.
City Enhances Evaluation of Rural Intersections
Today, the City’s Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee received the results of a review of how traffic signals and all-way stops are evaluated at rural intersections. While rural context is already considered, new enhancements will refine the process with more specific factors, making evaluations better aligned with rural conditions.
Key updates include:
Speed studies will now be consistently included when assessing traffic signals.
Traffic volume data collection will expand to cover the highest eight hours during a 16-hour period, reflecting rural commuting patterns.
New criteria will be added for rural all-way stops where two collector roads intersect, or where a collector and local road meet. These thresholds will be lower than those used for arterial roads.
Read more here: ottawa.ca
Have Your Say on Draft Budget 2026!
The City of Ottawa wants to hear from you as work begins on Draft Budget 2026.
This year’s budget process includes many opportunities to get involved, from Councillor-led consultations, to completing a questionnaire, to sharing your views through Engage Ottawa or directly with your Councillor.
Your feedback is an important part of shaping the City’s budget. It’s your city and your budget, so make sure to have your say!
Important dates
Ongoing: Share your feedback on Draft Budget 2026 through your Councillor, 3-1-1, or Engage Ottawa
Launched May 26: Complete the Engage Ottawa Draft Budget 2026 questionnaire
May to November: Councillor-led budget consultations take place across the city (dates will be posted on ottawa.ca, Engage Ottawa, and social media)
Wednesday, November 12: Draft Budget 2026 tabled at City Council
November 12 to December 8: Residents can submit questions to City staff through Engage Ottawa and register to make public delegations to Standing Committees.
Wednesday, December 10: Draft Budget 2026 considered for adoption at City Council
Budget background
Each year, the City develops a municipal budget, a blueprint for how funds are raised (revenues) and spent (expenses). Draft Budget 2026 will:
Operating budget: Fund day-to-day City programs and services residents rely on
Capital budget: Pay for new infrastructure, assets, and rehabilitation of existing ones
Be reviewed by Standing Committees, departments, and service areas, with independent recommendations also provided by:
Ottawa Police Services Board
Ottawa Board of Health
Ottawa Public Library Board
Draft Budget 2026 will support Council’s commitment to ongoing services while making investments that build an affordable, connected, prosperous, and resilient city for all.
Learn more at the City’s Budget, Finance and Corporate Planning page here.
Out & About
On August 22, I took part in the Ottawa Carleton Plowmen’s Association Plowing Match in Navan. It was great to share in some friendly competition with my council colleagues. Congratulations to Councillor Kitts and Mayor Sutcliffe on their first-place tie!
Great company and food, as always, at the Richmond Legion’s summer BBQ on August 22.
I was proud to defend my three-year Soapbox Derby streak at the annual Allan Hann Soapbox Derby in Manotick on August 24. Thank you to the Manotick Village and Community Association and the Manotick Kiwanis volunteers for a fantastic day.
I joined a great discussion with MPP Darouze and the Hon. Trevor Jones, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness at the Blue Diamond, Richmond, on August 27.
I stopped in at the Ottawa Carleton Seed and Crop Improvement Association’s Summer Social Event at Hill Isle Farms in Stittsville on August 27.
Construction Updates
Road Resurfacing & Construction Impacts
The following roads in Ward 21 are scheduled for resurfacing or maintenance, with some work involving nighttime construction between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. Residents may experience construction noise during this period.
We will continue to share updates as these projects progress.
🛣 Resurfacing Projects
Bankfield Road
From 320m east of Hwy 416 overpass to Kilreen Lane
Status: Work ongoing until late SeptemberMoodie Drive
From Fallowfield Road to 1300m north
Start: Work ongoing until late SeptemberTwin Elm Road
From Brophy Road to 3890m north
Status: Work ongoing until late SeptemberBrophy Road
From 25m east of Fourth Line Road to 326m west of Hwy 416 overpass
Status: Work ongoing until late SeptemberThird Line Road
From Phelan Road W to Prince of Wales Drive
Status: Work ongoing until mid-SeptemberThird Line Road
From 115m south of Prince of Wales Drive to Roger Stevens Drive
Status: Work ongoing until mid-September
🔧 Crack Sealing
Flewellyn Road
From Ashton Station Road to Munster Road
Status: Work ongoing until late September
🌉 Culvert Renewals
As part of a major infrastructure renewal project, the City of Ottawa will be replacing seven culverts across Ward 21 over the coming months. These upgrades are critical for maintaining safe and reliable roadways, particularly in areas prone to flooding or seasonal runoff.
Construction will take place at the following locations:
🛠 Scheduled Culvert Replacements
Second Line Road
0.10 km north of Roger Stevens Drive
📅 Planned for Fall 2025
➔ Details to follow closer to construction date.
Traffic impacts and detours may be in place during these dates. Please follow posted signage and allow extra travel time when passing through these areas.
🚧 Other Construction Projects
➔ Pole Installation on Franktown Road
Hydro Ottawa is installing new hydro poles and equipment along Franktown Road between Conley Road and Munster Road. This work will be carried out by Bradley Kelly Construction Ltd. and is expected to be completed by February 2026.
➔ Malakoff Bridge Rehabilitation
The City of Ottawa will soon begin rehabilitation work on the Malakoff Road bridge over Stevens Creek, located about 0.9 km south of Roger Stevens Drive. This project will address existing deficiencies and extend the service life of the bridge until a full replacement is completed in the future.
What to Expect:
The bridge will be fully closed during construction.
A traffic detour will be in place via McCordick Road, using Roger Stevens Drive and Pierce Road.
Local access for residents will be maintained.
Timeline:
Work is scheduled to begin the week of September 1st and is expected to be completed by early October 2025.
➔ Bridge Renewal Project – Copeland Road
Important bridge renewal projects are underway this summer in Ward 21 as part of the City’s Bundled Bridges Program. These upgrades will enhance the long-term safety and reliability of local road infrastructure and are scheduled to continue through to October 31, 2025, including final site restoration.
Project Details:
Copeland Road Bridge over the Jock River
🚧 Full road closure in effect now until September 24, 2025 (approximately 12 weeks)
What to Expect:
Detour plans have been developed to ensure safety and minimize disruption. Public notices are being delivered to residents and stakeholders in advance to support travel planning during the closures.
➔ Hydro Work Supporting Dwyer Hill Training Facility Expansion
Starting this summer, Hydro Ottawa will begin major electrical upgrades in Ward 21 to support the long-term expansion of the Department of National Defence’s Dwyer Hill Training Centre, a project scheduled to continue through 2034.
Phase 1: Hydro Pole and Equipment Installation on Dwyer Hill Road
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Hydro Ottawa are installing new hydro poles and equipment along Dwyer Hill Road between Franktown Road and Jock Trail Road. This work will be carried out by Bradley Kelly Construction Ltd. and is expected to be completed by September 26, 2025.
Affected roads include Ashton Station Road, Dwyer Hill Road, and Purdy Road, with service impacts to approximately 49 customers. Written notices will be delivered to affected households. If planned power outages are required for safety, additional notices will be issued in advance.
Phase 2: Transformer Installation and Infrastructure Upgrade on Garvin Road
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The next phase began on July 14, 2025, with the installation of a new 30 MVA transformer and the construction of a new building to house supporting electrical infrastructure at the Richmond South municipal transformer station on Garvin Road, just west of Huntley Road. This phase is expected to be completed by December 19, 2025.
Pile driving will occur for approximately three weeks during this period to install concrete foundations. Residents nearby may experience temporary noise and vibration disruptions, and Hydro Ottawa appreciates your patience and understanding as crews work to complete this work safely and efficiently.
Both projects will take place within Hydro Ottawa property and the City’s Road Right-of-Way, and all scheduling has been planned with customer convenience and safety in mind. Affected customers will receive door-to-door notices, including advance warnings for any planned outages.
You may notice increased construction activity in the area during the day. These infrastructure upgrades are essential to supporting the growing energy demands tied to national defence operations and the surrounding community.
For a full list of current and upcoming road work in Ward 21, visit the Ward 21 website. Major construction notices will be shared in future newsletters and community updates.
🗺 To explore citywide construction projects, use the City of Ottawa Interactive Construction Map.
Community Events
You can check out the Ward 21 website at any time to see an up-to-date list of upcoming events.
In case you missed this week’s event newsletter, click here: Upcoming Community Events in Ward 21!
Stay in touch!
I want to hear from you! Stay connected and keep informed by:
📱 Following us on social media – Click the icons below to stay updated.
🌐 Visiting our website: www.ward21.ca
📧 Emailing your concerns: ward21@ottawa.ca
📞 Calling our office: 613-580-2491
📅 Want to meet with Councillor Brown at his North Gower office? Email ward21@ottawa.ca to book an appointment.
Looking forward to connecting with you!